IT'S OFFICIAL! February 10th has been proclaimed Cliff Burton Day in honour of the late Metallica bass player

American heavy metal group Metallica, UK, 1985. Left to right: lead guitarist Kirk Hammett, singer and guitarist James Hetfield, drummer Lars Ulrich and bassist Cliff Burton.

(Photo by Fin Costello/Redferns/Getty Images)

Metallica shared the news on their twitter yesterday that Alameda County in California has proclaimed February 10th, 2018, Cliff Burton Day.

The post reads: IT’S OFFICIAL! The Board of Supervisors from Alameda County has just proclaimed February 10, 2018, which would have been Cliff’s 56th birthday, “Cliff Burton Day.” Thanks to all of the fans who got behind this initiative. We love that he remains so revered.

Burton was born on February 10th and played bass guitar for Metallica from 1982 until his death in 1986. His music can be heard on the first three Metallica albums, Kill ’em All, Ride the Lightning, and Master of Puppets.

Burton died on September 26th, 1986 while Metallica was on the Damage Inc tour in Sweden. Their tour bus skidded off the road and flipped, tossing Burton from the bus and killing him.

The idea for a Cliff Burton Day came from fans who created a petition.

IT’S OFFICIAL! The Board of Supervisors from Alameda County has just proclaimed February 10, 2018, which would have been Cliff’s 56th birthday, “Cliff Burton Day.” Thanks to all of the fans who got behind this initiative. We love that he remains so revered. pic.twitter.com/Qxy0yFptSS